On 18 October 2017, Baker Baynes hosted the ‘Drink & Draw for Architects’ evening, a Night of 1000 Drawings contributor event.  The event gave creatives in the architecture industry a chance to doodle with like-minded industry professionals, but the best part was, it was all for a good cause.  Tasked with the theme ‘Redesign your Skyline” participants used inspiration from the beautiful skyline view surrounding them at Impello’s Rooftop Venue, and got to work doodling on an A5 piece of paper with their choice of art supplies, including pencil, fine liners, oil pastels, crayons & water paint.

What is Night of 1000 Drawings?

South Africa’s biggest, one night only, inner-city art exhibition and sale to raise funds for education. 1000 Drawings is an empowerment project that culminates in a one-night-only, massive inner-city art sale to raise funds for a deserving cause – The Night of a 1000 Drawings. Buyers will be spoilt for choice with doodles, scribbles, graffiti, sketches, watercolour and oil paintings, experimental and conceptual works, all on sale and going for a song. At R100 a piece, you could get your hands on a one-of-a-kind, original work by tomorrow’s big stars, or something beautiful to make you smile.

Taken from the website http://johannesburg.1000drawings.org/ 

Doodling Johannesburg’s Skyline by Hand

With an excited and energetic bunch of participants, we received over 30 doodles on the evening.  Some of which are a sight for sore eyes, and will most likely be purchased in a heartbeat, and some of which were fun, outrageous and very imaginative.

But we don’t judge art. 

As per the definition of the word, it refers to something that is primarily appreciated for its beauty and or ’emotional power’.

the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

Defined by Google Dictionary https://www.google.co.za/search?q=Dictionary

Here are some interesting and humorous doodles not related to Johannesburg Skyline:

Digital Sketching and Modeling of Johannesburg’s Skyline

Whilst participants were getting creative by hand, the Baker Baynes BIM Specialists Alyssa Jairus and Thabelo Netshivhungululu were illustrating the possibilities of digitally ‘Redesigning the Skyline’ with Autodesk applications Autodesk Sketchbook and Autodesk FormIt.

Digital Sketching with Autodesk Sketchbook

Whether you draw for fun or for work, sketch ideas on the go, or spend time creating beautiful works of art, Autodesk Sketchbook is the drawing app for you.  With SketchBook, drawing and painting is as close to pencil, pen, marker, and brush as a digital tool can be. Use over 140 preset brushes, infinite layers, powerful drawing guides, and more.  This application is made for all devices and the following features:

• Stroke Assistance
• 100+ Custom Brushes
• Precision Tools
• Scan in seconds

Here is Alyssa’s very quick Johannesburg Skyline done on Autodesk Sketchbook:

Download your free trial here.

Digital Modeling with Autodesk FormIt

FormIt architectural modeling software enables architects to sketch, collaborate, analyze, and share early-stage design concepts.  The great thing about Autodesk FormIt, is that there is a free version together with a pro version, making this a very accessible tool for the starting out architect to the fully BIM entrenched architectural firm.  This software is available to use on windows and mac products and has the following features:

• Intuitive 3D sketching
• Connected BIM
• Design anytime, anywhere
• Share your vision

Here is Thabelo’s very quick Johannesburg Skyline model done on Autodesk FormIt:

Download your free trial here.

Overall we had a great time with the architects, and look forward to attending the event on 16 November to see some of the art on sale for a good cause.

We’d love to hear from you if either of these software applications are of interest to you, together with any other Achitectectural CAD/BIM Technology and related services questions you might have.